Mike Richards VIII Kings vs NHLPA

[Face Wash]

In watching the last 2 games I can't help but to think this team is still totally distracted by Richards termination & Kopi's contract and maybe other things we're not privy to.

Kinda hard to say "In Dean We Trust" when Dean doesn't even trust himself anymore after this episode. Might be time for Dean to hand the reigns over to Blake (can't believe I just said that, but he's being groomed for it, so...) and just be a Team Exec. After all, Dean says he may not ever get over this...could be too distracted to do his job since his "Derek Jeter" turned out to be more like "Alan Wiggins" than an all-time Yankee squeaky-clean first ballot HoF SS.

The Richards situation has and will continue to set this franchise back for years and I'm not buying Lombardi's "He was like a son to me" sob story or his naivete. This is a business first and foremost and a family/fraternity (if you're lucky) second. Start owning it Dean. Something about Denial not being just some river somewhere in the Middle East.

You think you know a guy you want to sign or trade for? Guess what...you still do a background check because you owe it to EVERYONE involved. If I was Phil Anschutz right now, I'd be none too pleased with my VP right now.

I appreciate his candor, but he doesn't come out smelling like a rose here in anyway at all. I don't care how many Buddhist philosophies Boba espouses.

 

[Reclamation Project]

Guy pours his heart out and most think he's lying? Get the hell outta here.

 

[kingskring]

http://espn.go.com/losangeles/nhl/s...kings-settlement-mike-richards-circumvent-cba

The NHL has defended the settlement between Mike Richards and the Los Angeles Kings, saying in no way does it represent a circumvention of the league's collective bargaining agreement.

Some rival team executives, speaking to ESPN anonymously on Saturday, questioned whether the Richards settlement represented a new loophole around the rules.

While the exact amount of the settlement has not been divulged, sources say the Kings will incur salary cap charges until 2031, although overall it's believed less than what a buyout would have cost.

Still, NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said Saturday that the settlement was within the rules.

"There was a bona fide dispute over the Club's exercise of its termination right pursuant to the SPC (Standard Player's Contract)," Daly said in an email. "There was a grievance filed by the Union seeking resolution of that dispute. The Club is entitled to settle that grievance just as many Club-Player grievances are settled all the time. The CBA not only allows for those settlements, but provides for how the settlements should be accounted for from a Cap perspective. The settlement here is being accounted for in precise accordance with what the CBA contemplates."

Furthermore, Daly said, the NHL kept a close eye on this entire development ever since the Kings terminated Richards' deal back in late June.

"The League actively monitored each stage of this dispute from the time of the initial contract termination to the point at which the case was settled, during which time we were in frequent contact with both the Club and the NHLPA," Daly said. "If the settlement was simply a disguised way to get favorable Cap treatment, we certainly would have considered it to be a circumvention and acted accordingly. But this wasn't that. Far from it. There is absolutely zero concern that anything that transpired here could in any way be considered a 'circumvention' of the CBA. Anyone who believes to the contrary is clearly not privy to the facts."

A source also said Richards' settlement includes non-precedent language so that other teams in similar positions cannot cite the Richards case.

 

[Face Wash]

Guy pours his heart out and most think he's lying? Get the hell outta here.

I don't think he's lying, just don't think he's telling the whole truth or accepting the amount of responsibility for this "tragedy" as he should. He wouldn't be the first GM to go to a newspaper and prepare a statement as "Damage Control".

 

[Minor Boarding]

http://espn.go.com/losangeles/nhl/s...kings-settlement-mike-richards-circumvent-cba

Shockingly, Bill Daly saying nothing with plenty of sentences...

 

[Ron*]

Shockingly, Bill Daly saying nothing with plenty of sentences...

Not sure what you wanted. The man basically told ESPN that the "anonymous" club executives were full of ****.

 

[KopitarFAN]

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie 34m34 minutes ago
We know Mike Richards' payout from LAK goes until 2031 (!) but we don't know (yet) exact $ figure. Shouldn't, for now, be too hard to guess.

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie 32m32 minutes ago
If matter went to arb, Richards was going to win/lose big. Same with LA obviously. Richards was never getting full $22M face value owed.

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie 31m31 minutes ago
"Real" figure of his max take if he won:100% of 15-16 salary plus 2/3 of remaining $. LA would buy out next summer.

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie 29m29 minutes ago
So his real max $ figure was about $16.7M. That's $6M this season and $10.7M on buyout monies. So in ind arb he was getting $0 or $16.7M.

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie 27m27 minutes ago
Just guesswork, but I suspect number somewhere in middle, around $8.35M, give or take a million. We'll see how close, or not, it ends up.

 

[Ron*]

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie 34m34 minutes ago
We know Mike Richards' payout from LAK goes until 2031 (!) but we don't know (yet) exact $ figure. Shouldn't, for now, be too hard to guess.

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie 32m32 minutes ago
If matter went to arb, Richards was going to win/lose big. Same with LA obviously. Richards was never getting full $22M face value owed.

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie 31m31 minutes ago
"Real" figure of his max take if he won:100% of 15-16 salary plus 2/3 of remaining $. LA would buy out next summer.

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie 29m29 minutes ago
So his real max $ figure was about $16.7M. That's $6M this season and $10.7M on buyout monies. So in ind arb he was getting $0 or $16.7M.

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie 27m27 minutes ago
Just guesswork, but I suspect number somewhere in middle, around $8.35M, give or take a million. We'll see how close, or not, it ends up.

Or not.

I don't see either side disclosing the settlement numbers and I'm not sure they are required to, actually.

 

[Minor Boarding]

Not sure what you wanted. The man basically told ESPN that the "anonymous" club executives were full of ****.

No. I kind of expected it based on his interview history.

I guess both parties were happy avoiding the arbitration, so we wont get all the info on the case.


Now I am sad I said to one mod I won't bother posting in the Business of hockey Richards thread - kind of feel I should honor my commitment to not post there.

 

[Minor Boarding]

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie 34m34 minutes ago
We know Mike Richards' payout from LAK goes until 2031 (!) but we don't know (yet) exact $ figure. Shouldn't, for now, be too hard to guess.

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie 32m32 minutes ago
If matter went to arb, Richards was going to win/lose big. Same with LA obviously. Richards was never getting full $22M face value owed.

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie 31m31 minutes ago
"Real" figure of his max take if he won:100% of 15-16 salary plus 2/3 of remaining $. LA would buy out next summer.

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie 29m29 minutes ago
So his real max $ figure was about $16.7M. That's $6M this season and $10.7M on buyout monies. So in ind arb he was getting $0 or $16.7M.

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie 27m27 minutes ago
Just guesswork, but I suspect number somewhere in middle, around $8.35M, give or take a million. We'll see how close, or not, it ends up.

I hope Bob McKenzie gets into HHOF for jounalism. He reveals/informs most of the nerdy hockey fans soo many things.
Kind of a must follow for NHL fans...

 

[LAKings88]

I don't think he's lying, just don't think he's telling the whole truth or accepting the amount of responsibility for this "tragedy" as he should. He wouldn't be the first GM to go to a newspaper and prepare a statement as "Damage Control".

I see it like this too. Lombardi is too shrewd to be duped. I think DL genuinely liked Richards but knew of his habit. Speculation on my part. I think the whole organization is embarrassed by the bad publicity of last year and is spinning. Maybe it's just my doubting nature.

 

[MsMeow]

I'm having a lot of issues with the article, especially since it came hot on the heels of the press release saying the Kings would not comment. It's so over the top emotional, full of supposed naivete from a shrewd guy like Dean. And if there is a drug problem, why not rehab? And if he refused rehab, suspend him. Also, the comment about how he sent him to concussion specialists trying to help him was odd, whenever you have any injury you usually go to specialists. He made it sound like sending him to concussion experts was doing him a favour.

I wonder what the team thinks right now and how it's affecting their play. I really wish he hadn't said a word or that a joint release from both camps and the NHL was issued including payout numbers and how much the cap would be affected. That's what hockey fans need to know, and especially Kings fans.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I'm having a lot of issues with the article, especially since it came hot on the heels of the press release saying the Kings would not comment. It's so over the top emotional, full of supposed naivete from a shrewd guy like Dean. And if there is a drug problem, why not rehab? And if he refused rehab, suspend him. Also, the comment about how he sent him to concussion specialists trying to help him was odd, whenever you have any injury you usually go to specialists. He made it sound like sending him to concussion experts was doing him a favour.

I wonder what the team thinks right now and how it's affecting their play. I really wish he hadn't said a word or that a joint release from both camps and the NHL was issued including payout numbers and how much the cap would be affected. That's what hockey fans need to know, and especially Kings fans.

I took that as simply an illustration/example of "look, we tried everything."

But he was damned if he did, damned if he didn't. DL keeps his mouth shut and people would have gone on badmouthing him and the Kings anyway.

 

[Stimpythecat]

"The League actively monitored each stage of this dispute from the time of the initial contract termination to the point at which the case was settled, during which time we were in frequent contact with both the Club and the NHLPA," Daly said. "If the settlement was simply a disguised way to get favorable Cap treatment, we certainly would have considered it to be a circumvention and acted accordingly. But this wasn't that. Far from it. There is absolutely zero concern that anything that transpired here could in any way be considered a 'circumvention' of the CBA. Anyone who believes to the contrary is clearly not privy to the facts."

This quote is very telling. I don't think you get a quote like that from a mere drug issue that's covered by the CBA. The terms from all accounts and the oc register article were very favorable to the kings.

As far as I can tell, the most likely explanation for the terms and the daly quote is a work visa issue and/or entry ban.

 

[MsMeow]

I took that as simply an illustration/example of "look, we tried everything."

But he was damned if he did, damned if he didn't. DL keeps his mouth shut and people would have gone on badmouthing him and the Kings anyway.

Then the team shouldn't have issued the release saying they wouldn't comment, then an hour later a tabloid type interview appears.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Then the team shouldn't have issued the release saying they wouldn't comment, then an hour later a tabloid type interview appears.

I'd have a hard time buying anyone is ACTUALLY MAD that the organization said 'no comment' then comments appeared. You're mad about the content of the comments, which is very obvious from your selective language.

Above, you're ignoring some major things--if it were 'simply' a drug issue, he'd be dealing with the NHLPA prescribed program for such. The convolutedness of the situation allowed for exceptional measures. DL's statement says to me that the MR situation could be all of the things that have been speculated, or at least a large chunk of them. I'm not saying his public comments are/were the right thing to do, but that sounds to me more like a guy who feels betrayed, is sick of people talking ****, and is trying to let people know "hey, it's much more complicated than it looks" than it does just some vengeful ******* that he's being painted as. Tabloid? Give me a break.

It didn't matter WHAT DL said or didn't say here. Until this completed, you had people running their mouths about what a piece of **** DL is for betraying MR, then DL comments and suggests it's otherwise, and he's horrible for opening his mouth. It's clear when people who have a distaste for the organization speak right now, Kings can't do any right. And don't get me wrong, they're certainly reaping what they're sowing to an extent, but every little action or inaction is treated with contempt.

 

[Mike Carr]

I think for a long time (if not until this happened) that Lombardi and co believed Richards when he said he had no drug problem. They believed him with concussion stories and lack of form etc and tried to help. I think they feel upset that Richards didn't have ongoing concussion issues but a drug problem. I think they feel betrayed that Richards saw specialist knowing full well the situation wasn't concussion but a drug issue - maybe a concussion or general injuries started the drugs but they were a thing of the past. This is all of course speculation, but this is what I garner from what has been printed from DL press release, that DL is insinuating.
I agree with others - must have an effect on the team - especially if some players knew of his problem and felt torn etc

 

[The Butcher]

I think it's time for Mike Richards to make a statement. All the litigation appears to be done and there is no longer any reason not to. I think the guy owes all the fans that cheered him on at least a couple sentences.

An apology, an explanation, a middle finger, anything.

 

[kingsholygrail]

Sometimes I want DL to really save his commentary for future memoires. With this public lashing of Mike Richards, we could get a fireback article from Mike and this whole mess lingers like a fart in an elevator.

 

[Buddy The Elf]

I think it's time for Mike Richards to make a statement. All the litigation appears to be done and there is no longer any reason not to. I think the guy owes all the fans that cheered him on at least a couple sentences.

An apology, an explanation, a middle finger, anything.

I'm pretty sure he still has a court case pending with the Canadian feds. That's why all the talk on the main board about him signing somewhere else if the kings didn't terminate his contact is BS. Nobody is signing richards until that is settled and his immigration status is resolved. But I doubt he speaks until his court case is over at the earliest.

 

[moosehead81]

I think it's time for Mike Richards to make a statement. All the litigation appears to be done and there is no longer any reason not to. I think the guy owes all the fans that cheered him on at least a couple sentences.

An apology, an explanation, a middle finger, anything.

A civil suit for character assassination maybe although I don't think that'll happen. We'll likely not hear anything from Richards although he may be fighting the drug charge because of possible border crossing difficulties, as some have suggested. Funny thing though, somebody told me the other day that if you're arrested for a DUI in the States, you're not allowed into Canada but arrested in Canada for the same charge, you're able to travel to the States. I guess that's why Ryan O'Reilly doesn't worry about his DUI charge in Canada in July.

 

[Ron*]

Richards hasn't "tweeted" since June 26, and still describes himself as an "LA King forward" on his twitter account. Which, apparently, he has neglected.

https://twitter.com/MRichie_10

Statement will not be forthcoming, pretty sure of that.

 

[The Tikkanen]

Ah- that's a bit out there. Careful now.

Careful of what?

 

[kingsfan28]

I'd have a hard time buying anyone is ACTUALLY MAD that the organization said 'no comment' then comments appeared. You're mad about the content of the comments, which is very obvious from your selective language.

Above, you're ignoring some major things--if it were 'simply' a drug issue, he'd be dealing with the NHLPA prescribed program for such. The convolutedness of the situation allowed for exceptional measures. DL's statement says to me that the MR situation could be all of the things that have been speculated, or at least a large chunk of them. I'm not saying his public comments are/were the right thing to do, but that sounds to me more like a guy who feels betrayed, is sick of people talking ****, and is trying to let people know "hey, it's much more complicated than it looks" than it does just some vengeful ******* that he's being painted as. Tabloid? Give me a break.

It didn't matter WHAT DL said or didn't say here. Until this completed, you had people running their mouths about what a piece of **** DL is for betraying MR, then DL comments and suggests it's otherwise, and he's horrible for opening his mouth. It's clear when people who have a distaste for the organization speak right now, Kings can't do any right. And don't get me wrong, they're certainly reaping what they're sowing to an extent, but every little action or inaction is treated with contempt.

I think you just summed up the mainboard perfectly.

 

[Captain Mittens*]

http://espn.go.com/losangeles/nhl/s...kings-settlement-mike-richards-circumvent-cba

from that article

While the exact amount of the settlement has not been divulged, sources say the Kings will incur salary cap charges until 2031, although the settlement is believed to cost less overall than a buyout would have.

Does anyone remember what Richards' buyout out was? (Rip capgeek)